Air filter means



June 3%), 1153360 A. SCHAAF ET AL J $676393 AIR FILTER MEANS 2 Shee ts-Sheet 1 Filed March 11, 1935 INVENTORS ALBERT E. SCHAAF 3;.

A TTORNE 7 5 511% y 1936 SCH/RAF ET AL 3 9 AIR FILTER MEANS Filed March 11, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 nwmmm ALBERT SQHAAF a, Gamma: m. WALTQN A. Ti ORNEMS Patented June 30, 1936 UNITED STATES AIR FILTER MEANS Albert E. Schaaf, Cleveland, and George M.

Walton, Parma,

hio, 'assignors to Air-Maze Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application March 11, 1935, Serial No. 10,374

20 Claims.

This invention relates to air cleaner apparatus of the type including a filter element arranged to be maintained in wet condition by an associated liquid, a quantity of the liquid being also so arranged with reference to the air stream that entrained solid particles will be deposited in the liquid by their inertia and thus removed from the air stream. An example of such apparatus is disclosed in Patent No. 1,876,368 issued February 6, 1932 to G. M. Walton, and the objects of the present invention are generally to improve upon the air cleaner therein disclosed.

A particular object of the invention is briefly to provide that such a cleaner be capable of adjustment to function within a range of capacities, with the highest efiiciency for any given conditions. it will be appreciated that the range of volumetric demand involves substantially different velocities through the cleaner. But removal of solids from the air stream by inertia, has somewhat critical requirements as to velocity and direction or the air stream adjacent the liquid,

surface. This invention, therefore, embraces means for varying the operating characteristics of the apparatus by adjusting the velocity of flow adjacent the surface of the liquid, relative to the velocity elsewhere in the path of the stream through the apparatus, whereby said velocity may be established as desired, for any given demand upon the apparatus.

For much the same general reasons a further object of the invention is to provide novel means tending to maintain the liquid quiescent, and its surface, therefore, stable against undue splashing action during motion of the apparatus, as when mounted on a vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for preventing access to the outlet of the apparatus, of any liquid carried which might otherwise find its way from the filter element in the direction of flow. I

And still other objects are to provide improved means for attaining and maintaining-the relation of certain parts of the assembly, and particularly access to parts for cleaning, all as will appear.

The exact nature of this invention together with further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich Fig. 1 is an elevation partly in section and with parts broken away, illustrating a typical embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a detail in perspective, showing parts appearing in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional detail as in the plane of line 3-3, Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional detail as in the plane of line 4-4, Figs. 1 and 3; Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional details as in the planes 01 lines 5-5 and 6-6 respectively, Fig. 1; and Figs. 7 and 8 are views in typical sectional elevation 11- 6 lustrating embodiments of the invention in modified form.

With reference now to the drawings and first to Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, i represents the outer wall and 2 the inner wall of an annular enclosure unit containing liquid 3 to the level of a bead in. on its outer wall. The inner wall 2 is provided with a tapered part as at 2a, about which a collar designated 5, is disposed. This collar has a tapered part 5a seating upon the part 20. of the 16 wall, and outstanding flange means including a part 5b below the level of the liquid 3 and which may be perforate as indicated, thereabout a part 50 disposed substantially at the surface of the liquid, and a peripheral part 5d downwardly 20 turned and spaced somewhat from the outer wall v A second enclosure unit comprises a top 6, a cylindrical filter element 7 and spaced thereabout a cylindrical wall part 8. The filter element 1 bears at its lower end upon the perforate part 5b of the collar 5 and at its upper end seats in the indicated annular recess in the cover 6, to which it is secured by a peripherally pronged washer 9. The wall member 8 is permanently secured with the indicated shoulder part of the cover member 6 as by welding. Centrally of the parts is a spindle I0 having its stem part lfla extending downwardly through the cover from a head part lllb. A washer ll may be provided between the head part iilb and the cover 6, and washers l2 and I3 within the cover 6, the washers 9, ll, l2 and i3 as well as the cover Shaving central openings to receive the stem part of the spindle and being permanently secured with the spindle as by pinching of the latter at M; the relation between the parts being such, however, that the spindle may be rotated in the cover 6 and the washer 9, and preferably also in the washer l2.

A fitting l5 having a through opening I6 is provided, and may include a bracket part ll by which it may be mounted. The lower enclosure unit, containing the liquid 3, is positioned and supported upon this fitting I 5, which latter for the purpose has an annular raised part l8 and thereabout a flange part 19. A bridge 20 extends across the opening N5 of the fitting I5 and carries a fixed nut 2| into which the threaded end of the spindle in may be turned,

to removably secure the upper enclosure unit in its indicated relation with the lower enclosure unit.

It will be evident that the parts are so proporticned and arranged, generally concentrically, that air flow may be had through the apparatus in a path as indicated by the arrows, and including an annular stretch A between the wall parts I and 8, a pass B radially inwardly, between the liquid 3 and the wall 8. a stretch 0 between the wall 8 and the filter element I, radially inwardly through the filter element, to a stretch D between the filter element and the inner wall 2, in adownward stretch E through the inner wall 2, and thence directly outwardly through the opening id in the fitting lb.

The wall 8 in the assembly terminates substantially short of the level of the liquid 3. That the air velocity through the paths 13 over the wet surface provided by the liquid, may be adjusted relative to its velocity in other parts or the apparatus, and thereby be established as desired for a given demand condition upon said apparatus, a sleeve 8a is arranged in telescopic relation with the cylindrical wall 8, and means are provided for its securement in adjusted positions toward and from the liquid. Such means are here shown as slots 22 in one of the members, as the sleeve to, and cooperative bolts 23 extending through the other member, the wall 8,

By the arrangement just described, a single size of the apparatus may be adjusted to function properly through a wide range of conditions of demand on the apparatus, the conditions varying as to general velocity in the apparatus but the adjustment permitting the desired velocity at the i s E. That the air stream in the stretch A may have a helical motion, a number of vane means 2d are provided in spaced relation about the center of the parts, to extend across the passage between the wall members l and 8. As is here indicated, each vane 2e is secured to the wall 8 as by rivets 2 in. These vanes are of sheet metal and so proportioned and arranged as to provide yieldable bearing against the two wall members between which they extend so that concentricity of the wall members is yieldably maintained and rattling prevented in the assembly. The vane members are also so proportioned, as indicated in Figs. 5 and d, that they define a taper whereby the assembly between the two units will be facilitated. also, the vane members are curved as indicated in 5, so that they bear with faces rather than edges, and consequently will not squeak when the apparatus is under vibration.

The part 5d of the collar 5 is suffioiently clear oi the well i so that the stretch A in the air pase sage is directed to the surface of the liquid 3 yet the part be lying substantially in the plane of the surface, is always maintained wet by liquid carried thereover by the air stream, if not by motion of the apparatus which, it will be appreciated, is usually employed upon an engine, often furnishing the propelling power for a vehicle. Yet the splash is limited by the parts 50 and 511, against being sumcient to permit entrainment of liquid in the stream. The filter element 1 is, however, maintained wet, there being suflicient liquid agitation for the purpose, particularly in the trough formed by the part 517. If the part 5b be periorate, uniform liquid level on each side of the part 50 will be substantially maintained. At any rate liquid level within the trough at the part 52) will obviously be limited by the height of the part 50. a The washer I2 is dished downwardly at its periphery as indicated, to trap liquid travelling from the filter element, on the underside of the cover 5, draining such liquid back into its container compartment and thereby preventing such liquid from finding its way to the outlet passages of the apparatus.

It will be apparent that the parts of the apparatus comprise three principal units as follows. which the apparatus has outlet connection to the carburetion device or whatever else the apparatus is to serve, and may serve also as a bracket to support the other parts of the apparatus;

The fitting l5 serves as a base part by The second unit of the assembly comprises the described enclosure unit for the liquid 3, and also includes the removable collar 5.

The third unit comprises those parts mounted upon the cover 6.

Units are releasably assembled by manipulation of the head lilb of the spindle Ill, to control its threaded relation with the nut 2i. In disassembly as for cleaning, the spindle being unscrewed, the upper unit of which the spindle forms a part is simply withdrawn upwardly and removed. The lower enclosure unit is then removed from the fitting i5 simply by lifting therefrom. The liquid 3 may be replaced and accumulated sludge easily removed by removal of the collar 5 from its seat.

Reassembly may obviously be conveniently had icy-reversing the order of the operations.

With reference now to the modification of Fig. 7, 3! is an annular enclosure unit having an inner wall 32 and containing a liquid 33. The unit is disposed about a tubular fitting 45 terminating at its upper end in a spider part 50. Removably mounted on this spider part by a thumb screw 40 is a cover 36 dependent from which is a cylindrical wall 38. Longitudinally adjustable on the wall 38, as by means of bolts 53, is a wall part 38a in the form of a sleeve as indicated. A filter lement 37 is arranged to close the annular space between the sleeve 38a and the inner wall 32 of the container unit 3!, and to be adjustable longitudinally of the inner wall 32 as by a beading 35. It will be apparent that the structure described provides a path for air flow through the apparatus including a downward stretch a, a pass b radially inwardly between the surface oi the liquid 33 and the lower extremity of the sleeve tee, upwardly through the filter element 31, along a stretch c niwardly between the arms of the spider 5d, downwardly through the fitting 45, and from the apparatus. It will also be apparent that the filter element 3'! will be maintained wet and clean by splash of the liquid 33 when theapparatus is subjected to vibration as in. service. Adjustment of the sleeve 38a will control the relative velocity at the pass I) generally as before, but in this case will efiect adjustmentof the filter element itself as well.

The modification of Fig. 8 shows apparatus designed for outlet of the filtered air in the up ward direction by way of a fitting 15. To this fitting is clamped by means of an annulus 75a, a

cover 66 having a cylindrical downwardly cxtending wall the cover 66 being perforate to provide outlet from the cavity 0' within the wall 68by way of the passage e'- in the fitting 75. An enclosure unit 6| is disposed about the Wall 68 and removably mounted upon the latter'in any convenient manner as by two or more spring bail members 10, secured in circumferentially spaced relation about the cylindrical wall part 6| of the outer unit, with end parts 10a extending over the edge of the cover 66. Guide vanes 84 are provided by deforming the wall part 68 outwardly at peripherally spaced locations, three being indicated. These vanes are themselves relatively rigid, but they bear upon the outer wall 6| with yieldable characteristic owing to the resilience of the wall 6| which may be slightly deformed by the bearing, and the wall 68 may be bowed slightly outwardly between the vanes 84 by the said bearing. A wall member or sleeve 68a. is mounted upon the wall part at the lower extremity of the latter and for adjustment longitudinal of the same as by bolts 83. A discuate filter element 61 is mounted upon this sleeve member 6811 to be effective at the mouth of the latter. A liquid 63 is provided in the bottom part of the container 6| so that a horizontal pass I) is provided in the air path through the apparatus between the surface of this liquid and the filter element 61.

Obviously, functioning of the apparatus will be generally as before, the path for air flow being downwardly through the annular stretch a, horizontally through the pass b, upwardly by way of the filter element 67, chamber and outlet passage e'. The filter element 67 is maintained wet and clean by splash of the liquid 63 and the velocity through the pass b is adjustable substantially as in the preceding embodiment.

What we claim is:

1. In air filter apparatus characterized by an air path including a pass between a wet surface and a wall part extremity spaced therefrom, means for varying the operating characteristics of said apparatus by adjusting the velocity of flow through said pass relative to the velocity elsewhere in said path, and comprising means for adjusting the spacing of said wall part extremity from said wet surface.

2. In air filter apparatus characterized by an air path including a pass between a wet surface of substantial area and a wall part extremity spaced therefrom, said pass being immediately preceded by a stretch lengthwise of said wall and toward said extremity adjusting means for said extremity providing for a desired velocity of flow through said pass independent of a demand condition upon said apparatus.

3. In air filter apparatus characterized by an air path including a pass between a wet surface of substantial area and a wall part having an endless edge spaced therefrom, means for varying the velocity of flow through said pass relative to the velocity elsewhere in said path, and comprising sleeve means mounted for sliding adjustment upon said wall part relative to said surface.

4. Air filter apparatus containing a liquid providing a wet surface of substantial area, and having wall means providing an air path including a stretch directed toward said surface and thence a pass of which said surface is a boundary, said wall means including a stationary part spaced from said surface, and a part adjustable on said stationary part relative to said surface.

5. Air filter apparatus containing a liquid providing a wet surface, and having cylindrical wall means providing an air path including an annular stretch directed toward said surface and a radial pass thereover, said wall means including a stationary cylindrical part having a circular edge spaced from said surface, and a sleeve part telescopically adjustable on said stationary part relative to said surface.

6. In air filter apparatus containing a body of liquid and having wall means providing an air path bounded in part by the surface of said liquid, stationary baffle means disposed substantially at said surface and having substantial extent therealong, to reduce splashing effect of said liquid during motion of said apparatus.

'7. In air filter apparatus containing a body of liquid, having a filter element arranged to be washed by splash from said liquid during motion of said apparatus, and having wall means providing an air path by way of said filter element and bounded in part by the surface of said liquid, a stationary support for an end of said element,

and having a part extending beyond said element.

substantially at said surface and with substantial extent along the latter, to reduce said splash.

8. In air filter apparatus including a pair of enclosure units, each having one of a pair of cylindrical wall members, cooperative to form an annular air passage therebetween in the apparatus, said units being separable endwise of said wall members to provide cleaning access to the interior of the apparatus, vane means upon one of said Wall members proportioned and arranged to define a taper adapted to facilitate assembly together of said units, with extent across said air passage to direct flow therethrough.

9. In air filter apparatus including a pair of enclosure units, each having one of a pair of cylindrical wall members, cooperative to form an annular air passage therebetween in the apparatus, said units being separable endwise of said wall members to provide cleaning access to the interior,

of the apparatus, vane means upon one of said wall members proportioned and arranged to define a taper adapted to facilitate assembly together of said units, and extending across said air passage with yieldable bearing upon the other member to yieldably maintain concentricity between said units.

10. In air filter apparatus including a pair of enclosure units separable to provide cleaning access to the interior of the apparatus, said units including a pair of cylindrical wall members, one on each, cooperative to form an annular air passage therebetween in the assembled apparatus, sheet metal vane means upon one of said wall members, extending across said air passage and turned to yieldably present a face part for bearing upon the other wall member to maintain concentricity between said units.

11. In air filter apparatus having a cylindrical filter element disposed extending downwardly from an end wall, means for maintaining said element wet, annular flange means extending from said end wall adjacent said element on the air outlet side of the latter, to limit liquid travel uponsaid wall from said element.

12. Air filter apparatus having an annular enclosure unit containing a liquid, the inner wall of said unit having a taper, a collar seating upon said taper and having flange means extending into said liquid, a cylindrical air filter element bearing endwise upon said flange means, and means providing releasable connection between the opposite end of said filter element and said enclosure unit.

13. In air filter apparatus containing a liquid and a filter element spaced from a surface part thereof to be wet by splash of said liquid in the operation of the apparatus, the air path through said apparatus including a pass between said liquid and said filter, element and leading to the viding an air path including a stretch directed toward said surface and thence a pass thereover, said wall means including a stationary part spaced from said surface and a part adjustable on said stationary part relative to said surface, and a filter element mounted on said adjustable part and arranged to lie in said air path.

15. Air filter apparatus containing a liquid providing a wet surface, and having wall means providing an air path including a stretch directed toward said'surface and thence a pass thereover, said wall means including a stationary part spaced from said surface and a part adjustable on said stationary part relative to said surface, and a filter element mounted on said adjustable part and arranged to lie in said air path following said pass.

16. In air filter apparatus including a pair of enclosure units separable to provide cleaning access to the interior of the apparatus, said units including a pair of cylindrical wall members, one on each, cooperative to form an annular air passage therebetween in the assembled apparatus, one of said wall members being deformed without interruption to provide vane means extending into said air passage to direct flow in the latter along helical lines.

17. In air filter apparatus including a pair of enclosure units separable to provide cleaning access to the interior of the apparatus, said units including a pair of cylindrical wall members, one on each, cooperative to form an annular air passage therebetween in the assembled apparatus, one of said wall members being deformed to provide vane means extending across said air passage to bear upon the other wallmember.

18. In air filter apparatus including a pair of enclosure units separable to provide cleaning access to the interior of the apparatus, said units including a pair of cylindrical wall-members, one on each, cooperative to form an annular air passage therebetween in the assembled apparatus, the inner of said wall members being outwardly deformed to provide vane means extending across said air passage to bear upon the outer wall member.

19. In air filter apparatus including a pair oi ,enclosure units separable to provide cleaning access to the interior of the apparatus, said units including a pair of cylindrical wall members, one on each, cooperative to form an annular air passage therebetween in the assembled apparatus, the inner of said wall members being outwardly deformed to provide vane means extending across said air passage to bear upon the outer wall memher, said wall members being so proportioned and arranged that said bearing will have resilient characteristics.

20. In air filter apparatus including a pair of enclosure units separable to provide cleaning access to the interior of the apparatus, said units including a pair of cylindrical wall members, one on each, cooperative to form an annular air passage therebetween in the assembled apparatus, vane means upon one of said wall members, extending across said air passage with yieldable bearing upon the other wall member, to yieldably maintain concentricity between said units, and adapted and disposed to impart helical components to flow through said passage.

- ALBERT E. SCHAAF.

GEORGE M. WALTON. 

